Kemba Walker to replace Kristaps Porzingis in NBA All-Star Game

Another injury will force an NBA star out of the 2018 All-Star Game. New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis suffered a torn ACL, which will force him out of the All-Star Game and the Taco Bell Skills Challenge–an event he won a year ago.

In his place, Charlotte Hornets point guard Kemba Walker will join Team LeBron. This is the second time that Walker will play in an All-Star Game. The Charlotte guard is averaging 22.6 PPG and 5.8 APG.

In 2018, the Hornets are 10-8, and Walker is one of eight players to score 40-or-more points at least three times this season. According to NBA.com, the Hornets are 17.4 points per 100 possessions better when Walker is on the court.

Walker likely edged out Philadelphia rookie Ben Simmons for a spot on the team. Injury replacements are left up to NBA commissioner Adam Silver.

Andre Drummond, who was recently named as an All-Star replacement, will take Porzingis’ place in the Skills Challenge. The skills contest will take place on Feb. 17 during All-Star weekend, meanwhile the 67th All-Star Game will take place on Feb. 18 at Staples Center.

The injury forces Porzingis out of his first All-Star Game. The 7-foot-3 big man, now in his third season, had been averaging 22.7 PPG and 6.6 RPG. He also led the league in blocks with 2.4 per game.

Walker joins Drummond and Miami Heat point guard Goran Dragic as other players to be named injury replacements. John Wall and Kevin Love were also forced out of the game with various injuries.

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